Shugyo Training Tips

As with all things in life you must work hard to learn a new skill. Taekwondo is no exception, but good quality instruction can really speed up the learning process. We at Shugyo would like to share our practice tips with you. Please remember it is very important to do some basic stretching before and after your workout. Stretching is a key element to getting a good workout without injury. These tips will help make your training easier but a serious Taekwondo student should take class 2-3 times per week and also practice at home.

One Step Sparring

First of all, when practicing your one step sparring make sure you are doing it correctly. If you do not your body will get used to doing it your way and when it goes to do it the correct way it may feel weird. As far as actual practice tips, do each one step up to your current rank four times. Once you have completed that try doing them with your opposite hand. Next, have a person call out a random number from one to your highest one step sparring number. Do the one step number they call out then keep going until all have been done.

While doing your one steps be sure to concentrate on the purpose of every move. Visualize your attacker. If you don’t understand the purpose behind a certain movement or what you are doing it for, then the move is pointless if it is ever needed. If ever you are confused then ask an instructor in class to explain it to you. Once you have completed the practice. Take a break, catch your breath and get back to practice if you feel you need to. If you don’t feel that you need to, you had better be positive that you know it perfectly.

One Step Sparring

When one wants to accomplish his or her one step sparring, there are a number of ways one can go about doing this. One way is to keep a positive attitude. Everyone is learning, so making a mistake is fine. Just keep trying to do better. Another way to learn the one step sparring is to practice. Practice makes perfect as they say. When practicing, make sure to keep good technique and to put power into it. This will help learn the moves and techniques quicker and better. Always learn the techniques and moves the right way the first time. It is more difficult to go back and unlearn what has already been taught. Although it may be quicker to learn wrong it will catch up and will be more difficult to unlearn what has been taught than to learn all new steps correctly the first time.

Target Training

One of the most noticeable and repetitive problems students have in the beginning of their training is breaking techniques and the ability to consistently hit the kicking targets during classes.

There are 3 basic fundamentals that are easily overlooked when attempting to either complete a break successfully or hit a kicking target in class.

You must always concentrate and focus on the center of the board or target.

Acquire the board or target with your eyes (get your head around etc.), and then complete your technique.